A Tripartite Concept of a Remote-Copilot Center for Commercial Single-Pilot Operations

Abstract

Existing manned cockpit operations consider the reduction of the team of pilots to one pilot to save costs, improve crew scheduling and aircraft availability. However, safety concerns have so far prevented the introduction of single-pilot flights in commercial aviation. This study seeks to address these concerns by offering an alternative tripartite concept for commercial single-pilot operations including a remote-copilot center. The main focus is on the ground station. Different kinds of remote-copilots and ground-operators support the single-pilot: a departure remote-copilot, an arrival remote-copilot; and different cruise remote-copilots/ground operators, who serve as specialist in their field of operation. A socio-technical system is defined which has the potential to deal with several issues arising in commercial single-pilot operations (SPO). Pilot incapacitation, flight length, and training are discussed. On the basis of the proposed tripartite function allocation on a higher level, a first step towards SPO in commercial aviation is made.